Resonant pressure sensor

ABSTRACT

A resonant pressure sensor includes: a housing; a housing-fixed portion that is fixed to the housing; a substrate that comprises: a substrate-fixed portion that is fixed to the housing-fixed portion; and a substrate-separated portion that is separated from the housing-fixed portion in a first direction and extends from the substrate-fixed portion; a first resonator that is disposed in the substrate-separated portion and that detects a change of a resonance frequency based on a strain in the substrate caused by static pressure applied by a pressure-receiving fluid; a first electrode that extends along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and that outputs an excitation signal to the first resonator to excite the first resonator; and a second electrode that extends along the second direction and from which the first resonator outputs a signal having the resonance frequency.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present invention relates to a resonant pressure sensor.

Related Art

For example, resonant pressure sensors conventionally adopt aconfiguration of measuring pressure by receiving a pressure of a fluidor the like that is a measurement target by a diaphragm and detecting achange in a resonance frequency of a resonator, disposed on a surface ofthe sensor, caused by a strain arising in the resonator (for example,see patent literature 1 and non-patent literature 1).

Furthermore, when measuring an absolute pressure of the fluid or thelike, a pressure reference chamber regulated to a predetermined pressurevalue needs to be disposed on one side of the diaphragm, and thepressure of the fluid or the like that is the measurement target needsto be applied on another side of the diaphragm.

PATENT LITERATURE

Patent Literature 1 JP 5158160 B2

NON-PATENT LITERATURE

Non-Patent Literature 1 Sensors and Actuators, “Three-dimensionalMicromachining of Silicon Pressure Sensor Integrates Resonant StrainGauge on Diaphragm”, Physical Volume 21, Issues 1-3, p 146-150 (February1990)

In the prior art taught in non-patent literature 1, when a high staticpressure is applied to a diaphragm, a peripheral portion thereofdeforms. This mitigates stress arising in the diaphragm itself. That is,a resonant pressure sensor generates a so-called balloon effect, whereina sensitivity when a static pressure is high appears to be lower than asensitivity when a static pressure is low, and therefore has an issuewherein a linearity of input and output characteristics as a pressuresensor is remarkably degraded. Therefore, it has an issue wherein highmeasurement precision is difficult to obtain in, for example, useswherein a high static pressure is applied.

SUMMARY

One or more embodiments provide a resonant pressure sensor that provideshigh linearity, regardless of a magnitude of a static pressure appliedby a fluid or the like that is a measurement target, and includesexcellent measurement precision.

A resonant pressure sensor according to one or more embodiments is aresonant pressure sensor, provided with: a pressure sensing unit thatcan detect a static pressure based on a change value of a resonancefrequency; wherein the pressure sensing unit includes a housing-fixedportion that is fixed to a housing; a substrate portion (i.e.,substrate) that has a substrate-fixed portion, in at least one locationor more, which is fixed to the housing-fixed portion, and asubstrate-separated portion, which is separated from the housing-fixedportion and extends from the substrate-fixed portion; apressure-receiving fluid that is interposed in a gap between thehousing-fixed portion and the substrate portion and envelops thesubstrate portion; and a first resonator that is disposed in thesubstrate-separated portion and detects as a change value of a resonancefrequency based on a strain arising in the substrate portion accordingto a static pressure applied by the pressure-receiving fluid.

Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments is that in the above configuration,the substrate portion has a cantilever structure whose support point isthe substrate-fixed portion.

Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments is that in the above configuration,the substrate portion has a strain-mitigating hole provided so as topenetrate the substrate portion.

Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments is that in the above configuration,the first resonator is made of a semiconductor material including animpurity, a concentration of the impurity is 1×10²⁰ (cm³) or higher, andan atomic radius of the impurity is smaller than an atomic radius of thesemiconductor material, which is a base material.

Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments is that in the above configuration,the pressure sensing unit includes a second resonator that is disposedin the substrate-separated portion of the substrate portion and detectsas a change value of a resonance frequency based on the strain arisingin the substrate portion according to the static pressure applied by thepressure-receiving fluid, and the second resonator has a pressuresensitivity of the resonance frequency that differs from a pressuresensitivity of the resonance frequency of the first resonator.

Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments is that in the above configuration,the pressure sensing unit has at least two or more substrate-separatedportions provided to one substrate portion or a plurality of substrateportions, and the first resonator and the second resonator arerespectively disposed in different substrate-separated portions.

Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments is that in the above configuration,both the first resonator and the second resonator are made of asingle-crystal silicon material including an impurity, respectiveconcentrations of the impurity in the first resonator and the secondresonator being values that differ by at least one order of magnitude ormore when a unit is made to be (cm⁻³), and a temperature coefficient ofthe resonance frequency of the second resonator is greater than atemperature coefficient of the resonance frequency of the firstresonator.

Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments is that in the above configuration,a thickness dimension of the second resonator along a thicknessdirection of the substrate portion is greater than a thickness dimensionof the first resonator.

Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments is that in the above configuration,the substrate portion has a base substrate, which has thesubstrate-fixed portion and is fixed to the housing-fixed portion, and asupport substrate, which is connected to the base substrate; the supportsubstrate has a fixed portion, which is fixed to the base substrate, anda separated portion, which is separated from the base substrate andextends from the fixed portion; and the pressure-receiving fluid isinterposed in a gap between the base substrate and the support substrateand envelops the separated portion.

According to the resonant pressure sensor according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention, a configuration is adopted whereinthe substrate portion and the first resonator are provided. Thesubstrate portion has the substrate-fixed portion, in at least onelocation or more, that is fixed to the housing-fixed portion. It alsohas the substrate-separated portion. The first resonator is disposed inthe substrate-separated portion of the substrate portion. Moreover, itdetects as the change value of the resonance frequency based on thestrain arising according to the static pressure applied to the substrateportion by the pressure-receiving fluid. By this, high linearity isobtained regardless of a magnitude of a static pressure applied by afluid or the like that is a measurement target, and excellentmeasurement precision can be realized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams for schematically describing a resonantpressure sensor that is a first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a sectional viewillustrating an overall configuration of the resonant pressure sensorwhen a liquid is used as a pressure-receiving fluid, and FIG. 1B is asectional view illustrating the overall configuration of the resonantpressure sensor when air (the atmosphere) is used as thepressure-receiving fluid.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for schematically describing the resonant pressuresensor that is the first embodiment; a plan view of the pressure sensingunit illustrated in in FIGS. 1A-1B.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for schematically describing the resonant pressuresensor that is the first embodiment; a sectional view at line A-A inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for schematically describing the resonant pressuresensor that is the first embodiment; a sectional view at line B-B inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for schematically describing the resonant pressuresensor that is the first embodiment; a block diagram illustrating signalprocessing operations in the resonant pressure sensor.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for schematically describing a resonant pressuresensor that is a second embodiment; a plan view illustrating a pressuresensing unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for schematically describing a resonant pressuresensor that is a third embodiment; a plan view illustrating a pressuresensing unit.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for schematically describing a resonant pressuresensor that is a fourth embodiment; a plan view illustrating a pressuresensing unit.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for schematically describing the resonant pressuresensor that is the fourth embodiment; a sectional view at line C-C inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for schematically describing the resonant pressuresensor that is the fourth embodiment; a sectional view at line D-D inFIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for schematically describing a resonant pressuresensor that is a fifth embodiment; a sectional view illustrating apressure sensing unit provided on a pedestal.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for schematically describing the resonant pressuresensor that is the fifth embodiment; a plan view of the pressure sensingunit illustrated in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described herein withreference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatmany alternative embodiments can be accomplished using the teaching ofthe present invention and that the present invention is not limited tothe embodiments illustrated herein for explanatory purposes.

Resonant pressure sensors according to one or more embodiments aredescribed below while referring to FIGS. 1A-1B to FIG. 12 asappropriate.

The following description first describes a summary of a resonantpressure sensor according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention and then details the resonant pressure sensors that areembodiments of first to fifth embodiments. Here, the resonant pressuresensors of the one or more embodiments of the present invention are, forexample, ones whereby high measurement precision is obtained in a usewherein a particularly high static pressure is applied.

In the following description, as necessary, positional relationshipsbetween members are described while referring to the XYZ orthogonalcoordinate system illustrated in the diagrams (the position of theorigin being changed as appropriate).

The resonant pressure sensor according to one or more embodimentsincludes a substrate portion and a first resonator. The substrateportion has a substrate-fixed portion, in at least one location or more,that is fixed to a housing-fixed portion. The substrate portion also hasa substrate-separated portion. The first resonator is disposed in thesubstrate-separated portion of the substrate portion. Moreover, aresonance frequency of the first resonator changes based on a strainthat arises according to a static pressure applied to the substrateportion by a pressure-receiving fluid.

In the above basic configuration of one or more embodiments, a pressure(static pressure) of a surrounding environment (fluid) of the resonantpressure sensor, which is a measurement target, is propagated to thepressure-receiving fluid by a pressure-propagating partition-wallmember, and the pressure of this pressure-receiving fluid being appliedto the substrate portion isotropically compresses the substrate portion.This applies an isotropically compressive stress to thesubstrate-separated portion but applies a longitudinally compressivestress to the first resonator. As a result, the resonance frequency ofthe first resonator changes. The resonant pressure sensor according toone or more embodiments measures the static pressure applied to theresonant pressure sensor by measuring this resonance frequency.

In a case of measuring the atmosphere, there may be a situation whereinthe above pressure-propagating partition-wall member is not used. Inthis situation, the pressure-receiving fluid is the “atmosphere” itself.

When using the pressure-propagating partition-wall member as a diaphragmbetween the pressure-receiving fluid and the atmosphere, for example, amaterial that is not easily affected by humidity or a material that isnot easily affected by wind is used.

Meanwhile, in a resonant pressure sensor of a conventionalconfiguration, as above, a linearity of input and output characteristicsas a pressure sensor when a high static pressure is applied is degradeddue to the balloon effect compared to input and output characteristicsas a pressure sensor when a low static pressure is applied. As such,there are issues such as high measurement precision not being obtained.

In contrast, in the resonant pressure sensor according to one or moreembodiments, even when measuring a high static pressure, as above, asupport substrate is compressed by an isotropic pressure via thepressure-receiving fluid. As such, the balloon effect that remarkablydegrades a linearity of input and output characteristics is avoided inprinciple. This enables high linearity to be obtained for input andoutput characteristics as a pressure sensor under a wide range of staticpressures regardless of a magnitude of the static pressure applied bythe fluid or the like that is the measurement target, and excellentmeasurement precision can be realized.

First Embodiment

The resonant pressure sensor of the first embodiment is detailed belowwhile referring to FIGS. 1A-1B to FIG. 5.

FIGS. 1A-1B are sectional views illustrating resonant pressure sensors1A, 1B of one or more embodiments. FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating asituation wherein a pressure-receiving fluid F (for example, a liquid ora gas) that is different from a measurement target is used, and FIG. 1Bis a diagram illustrating a situation wherein the measurement target(for example, a liquid or a gas) is used as a pressure-receiving fluidK. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the pressure sensingunit in the resonant pressure sensors 1A, 1B illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B,FIG. 3 is a sectional view at line A-A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is asectional view at line B-B in FIG. 2. Moreover, FIG. 5 is a blockdiagram illustrating signal processing operations in the resonantpressure sensors 1A, 1B.

[Configuration of Resonant Pressure Sensor]

The resonant pressure sensor 1A of one or more embodiments of includes apressure sensing unit 1 that can detect a static pressure based on achange value of a resonance frequency. It also has a base substrate(housing-fixed portion) 2, a support substrate (substrate portion) 3,and the pressure-receiving fluid F, which is interposed in a gap Sbetween the base substrate 2 and the support substrate 3 and envelopsthe support substrate 3. The support substrate 3 has a fixed portion(substrate-fixed portion) 31, in at least one location or more, that isfixed to the base substrate 2. It also has a separated portion(substrate-separated portion) 32 that is separated from the basesubstrate 2 and extends from the fixed portion 31 in a directionintersecting a Z direction (for example, an X direction). The substrateportion may be referred to as a substrate.

Moreover, the resonant pressure sensor 1A of one or more embodiments ofhas a first resonator 4 that is disposed in the separated portion 32 ofthe support substrate 3. A resonance frequency of the first resonator 4changes based on a strain that arises according to a static pressureapplied to the support substrate 3 (separated portion 32) by thepressure-receiving fluid F. That is, a strain arises in the firstresonator 4 due to the static pressure applied to the support substrate3 (separated portion 32) by the pressure-receiving fluid F (via theseparated portion 32), and the resonance frequency of the firstresonator 4 changes based on this strain.

Moreover, the resonant pressure sensor 1A of one or more embodimentsincludes a second resonator 5 that is disposed in the separated portion32 of the support substrate 3. A change amount (pressure sensitivity) ofa resonance frequency thereof that changes based on a strain that arisesaccording to the static pressure applied to the support substrate 3 bythe pressure-receiving fluid F is less than a change amount (pressuresensitivity) of the resonance frequency of the first resonator 4.

In one or more embodiments, the first resonator 4 above has a functionof detecting pressure, and the second resonator 5 above has a functionof detecting temperature.

To give a more detailed description, the first resonator 4 is excited byan electrostatic force due to, for example, an AC voltage (excitationsignal) being input from one electrode. Moreover, by applying a DCvoltage between another electrode and the first resonator 4, as acapacitance between the other electrode and the first resonator 4 whenthe first resonator 4 is excited changes over time, a current is outputto the other electrode. An output voltage of the resonant pressuresensor 1A is obtained by the current output to the other electrode atthis time being subjected to current-voltage conversion. By applyingappropriate feedback to the excitation signal input from the oneelectrode based on this output voltage, a stable self-exciting state isobtained at the resonance frequency of the first resonator 4. Thisoperation is realized inside the analog circuit 81 illustrated in theblock diagram in FIG. 5. The analog circuit 81 then outputs an outputvoltage thereof to a frequency counter 82.

Like the first resonator 4, the second resonator 5 is excited by anelectrostatic force due to an AC voltage (excitation signal) being inputfrom one electrode. Moreover, by applying a DC voltage between anotherelectrode and the second resonator 5, as a capacitance between the otherelectrode and the second resonator 5 when the second resonator 5 isexcited changes over time, a current is output to the other electrode.An output voltage of the resonant pressure sensor 1A is obtained bysubjecting this current output to the other electrode to current-voltageconversion, and by applying appropriate feedback to the excitationsignal input from the one electrode based on this output voltage, astable self-exciting state is obtained at the resonance frequency of thesecond resonator 5. This operation is realized inside the analog circuit84 illustrated in the block diagram in FIG. 5, and this analog circuit84 outputs an output voltage thereof to a frequency counter 85.

Next, in the frequency counter 82 illustrated in FIG. 5, frequencymeasurement is implemented for the output voltage input from the analogcircuit 81. The frequency counter 82 then outputs, to a computation unit83 (processor), a digital signal that is a count value of a frequencybased on a detection signal of the first resonator 4.

In conjunction therewith, in the frequency counter 85 illustrated inFIG. 5, frequency measurement is implemented for the output voltageinput from the analog circuit 84, and like the above frequency counter82, the frequency counter 85 outputs, to the computation unit 83, adigital signal that is a count value of a frequency based on a detectionsignal of the second resonator 5.

Afterward, in the computation unit 83, a pressure value corresponding tothe digital signal input from the frequency counter 82 is calculated,and a pressure value corresponding to the digital signal input from thefrequency counter 85 is calculated. These pressure values are output tothe outside. At this time, the computation unit 83 uses the digitalsignal input from the frequency counter 85—that is, a digital signalhaving a frequency according to an internal temperature of the pressuresensing unit 1 from the second resonator 5—as a temperature correctionsignal and performs temperature correction for a detection result of thepressure sensing unit 1 according to the internal temperature of thepressure sensing unit 1 determined based on this signal.

By the operations above, pressure values reflecting a correctionaccording to the internal temperature of the pressure sensing unit 1 areobtained based on the changes in the resonance frequencies arising inthe first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5 in the resonantpressure sensor 1A.

The above description describes one or more embodiments of measuringpressure using the first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5, but inone or more embodiments, it is also possible to measure pressure usingonly the first resonator 4.

In the illustrated example, the support substrate 3 is configured so thefixed portion 31 is a fixed end and the separated portion 32 is a freeend, and the pressure sensing unit 1 is roughly of a cantileverstructure supported at one point.

In the illustrated example, on a surface 30 of a stacked structureformed on the support substrate 3, a shell 6 is further provided so asto cover this surface 30.

The base substrate 2 is a base of the pressure sensing unit 1 and ismade of a semiconductor substrate such as a single-crystal siliconwafer. The fixed portion 31 of the support substrate 3 is fixed to asurface 20 side of this base substrate 2. Moreover, a concave portion20a is disposed in a surface 20 of the base substrate 2, in a regionother than a peripheral portion (region opposing the separated portion32) in a plan view of the base substrate 2. As detailed below, in one ormore embodiments, this ensures the gap S, into which thepressure-receiving fluid F (K) enters, between the base substrate 2 andthe separated portion 32 of the support substrate 3. The resonantpressure sensor according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention is not limited to a configuration that ensures a gap, intowhich the pressure-receiving fluid enters, between the base substrateand the separated portion by providing a concave portion in the basesubstrate. For example, it may have a configuration that ensures a gap,into which the pressure-receiving fluid enters, between the basesubstrate and the separated portion by forming the separated portion ata smaller thickness than a thickness of the fixed portion.

The base substrate 2 may be made of a material that, for example, has athermal expansion coefficient, elastic constant, and the like that areclose to those of the support substrate 3, which is detailed below. Itmay be made of a material wherein these characteristics are identical(the same material). As above, because the support substrate 3 isdirectly bonded to the base substrate 2, by using materials havingsimilar characteristics for each of these substrates, deformationamounts of when the materials deform due to applied pressure,environmental temperature, or the like become roughly equal. Thisreduces stress and the like that arise at a bonding interface due to adifference in deformation amounts between the base substrate 2 and thesupport substrate 3. Therefore, an effect is obtained of improvedtemperature characteristics, hysteresis, long-term stability, and thelike for the resonant pressure sensor 1.

The support substrate 3 is a substrate that supports the first resonator4 and the second resonator 5, which are detailed below. It has the fixedportion 31, which is fixed to the base substrate 2, and the separatedportion 32, which is separated from the concave portion 20a provided inthe surface 20 of the base substrate 2 by the gap S in the Z directionand extends from the fixed portion 31 in a direction intersecting the Zdirection (for example, the X direction). As above, the supportsubstrate 3 configures a cantilever structure by the fixed portion 31bonded to the base substrate 2 and the separated portion 32 separatedfrom the base substrate 2.

The support substrate 3 has the fixed portion 31 bonded to the surface20 of the base substrate 2. Moreover, the support substrate 3 includes asidewall portion 33 that, in a plan view of this support substrate 3, isformed so as to extend from the fixed portion 31 roughly in a U shapeand is disposed so as to surround the separated portion 32. Thissidewall portion 33 is also a sidewall of the pressure sensing unit 1and, like the fixed portion 31, is bonded to the surface 20 of the basesubstrate 2. Moreover, in the support substrate 3, the separated portion32 is formed roughly in a tongue shape that is separated from thesidewall portion 33 while being surrounded by this sidewall portion 33and has a function of a cantilever (see the X direction and the Ydirection in the diagrams). Moreover, the separated portion 32 is formedroughly in a rectangular shape in a plan view and extends from the fixedportion 31 in the X direction in the diagrams in substantially the samesectional shape (substantially uniformly).

Moreover, a thickness of the separated portion 32 in the Z direction inthe diagrams—that is, a thickness of the support substrate 3 in astacking direction—is constant throughout the X direction and the Ydirection in the diagrams.

The first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5 detailed below aredisposed in parallel along the extending direction of the separatedportion 32 in a position near a tip of the separated portion 32 of thesupport substrate 3 (end portion on an opposite side of the fixedportion 31). In the illustrated example, the first resonator 4 and thesecond resonator 5 are each disposed in a position of an active layer 3c provided on a support layer 3 a forming the support substrate 3 andare each disposed in a state wherein a predetermined clearance C ismaintained around the first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5.

Furthermore, pads 35 a, 35 b, 35 c, 35 d, 35 e, 35 f that areelectrically connected to the first resonator 4 and the second resonator5 and are for sending the detection signals of each of these resonatorsto an external control device are disposed on the surface 30, in aposition on a fixed-portion 31 side of the support substrate 3. Althougha material of these pads 35 a to 35 f is not limited in particular, forexample, a conventionally known aluminum pad or the like can be adoptedwithout any restrictions whatsoever.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in one or more embodiments, thepads 35 a, 35 c are respectively connected to an electrode 36 a and anelectrode 36 c, and the pad 35 b is connected to the first resonator 4via an electrode 36 b. Moreover, the pads 35 d, 35 f are respectivelyconnected to an electrode 36 d and an electrode 36 f, and the pad 35 eis connected to the second resonator 5 via an electrode 36 e. Here, inone or more embodiments, as illustrated in the connection structurebetween the pad 35 b and the electrode 36 b in FIG. 4, each pad and eachelectrode are electrically connected by disposing each pad in a holeportion that penetrates the shell 6 and a TEOS oxide film 3 e that isdescribed below.

A conductive material that is conventionally used in this field can alsobe adopted without any restrictions whatsoever as a material for each ofthe above electrodes 36 a to 36 f.

In one or more embodiments, the excitation signal for exciting the firstresonator 4 is supplied from the outside using the pads 35 a, 35 b, 35 cand the electrodes 36 a, 36 b, 36 c, and a first detection signalgenerated by the first resonator 4 (signal having a frequency accordingto pressure and temperature) is output to the outside. Moreover, theexcitation signal for exciting the second resonator 5 is supplied fromthe outside using the pads 35 d, 35 e, 35 f and the electrodes 36 d, 36e, 36 f, and a second detection signal generated by the second resonator5 (signal having a frequency according to temperature alone or accordingto pressure and temperature) is output to the outside.

Although the material of the support substrate 3 is not limited inparticular, as above, it may be made of a material havingcharacteristics similar to those of the base substrate 2 whereto thefixed portion 31 of this support substrate 3 is directly bonded or itmay be made of the same material. Details are given below, but as thesupport substrate 3, one made of a semiconductor substrate such as asingle-crystal silicon wafer can be adopted.

Furthermore, as in the layered structure illustrated in the sectionalview in FIG. 3, an embedded oxide film 3 b, the active layer 3 c, animpurity diffusion layer 3 d, and the TEOS (tetraethoxysilane) oxidefilm 3 e are sequentially stacked on the support layer 3 a forming thesupport substrate 3 of one or more embodiments, forming a so-called SOI(silicon on insulator) structure. Moreover, in the example illustratedin FIG. 3 and the like, the first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5are formed in a position of the active layer 3 c in the above layeredstructure formed on the support layer 3 a.

The support layer 3 a that forms the support substrate 3 issingle-crystal silicon doped with an impurity and is a layer having auniform boron concentration of about 1×10¹⁸ to 1×10¹⁹ (cm⁻³). Moreover,the support layer 3 a functions as a base in the above SOI structure.

The embedded oxide film 3 b is an insulating film that is formed on thesupport layer 3 a of the support substrate 3 and is the single-crystalsilicon constituting the support layer 3 a subjected to an oxidationprocess. It has a function of electrically insulating the aboveelectrodes from each other (insulating the electrode 36 a and theelectrode 36 c from each other and insulating the electrode 36 d and theelectrode 36 f from each other).

The active layer 3 c is doped single-crystal silicon and is a layerhaving a uniform boron concentration of, for example, about 1×10¹⁷ to1×10¹⁸ (cm ³).

The impurity diffusion layer 3 d is a layer wherein boron (B) isdiffused at a high concentration as an impurity in the active layer 3 c.

Moreover, the TEOS oxide film 3 e is a silicon oxide film formed usingtetraethoxysilane (TEOS gas) as a material from the active layer 3 cwherefrom the impurity diffusion layer 3 d is formed. Like the embeddedoxide film 3 b, it functions as an insulating film that electricallyinsulates the above electrodes from each other (insulates the electrode36 a and the electrode 36 c from each other and insulates the electrode36 d and the electrode 36 f from each other).

The first resonator 4 is a pressure-detecting resonator in the resonantpressure sensor 1 of one or more embodiments and is disposed in theseparated portion 32 of the support substrate 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the first resonator 4 is formed in alinear shape by machining the single-crystal silicon forming the activelayer 3 c provided on the support layer 3 a forming the supportsubstrate 3 and is formed in a position of the active layer 3 c in the Zdirection.

The first resonator 4 is disposed so as to be interposed in the Ydirection between the electrode 36 a and the electrode 36 c.

Moreover, the predetermined clearance C is ensured around the firstresonator 4 in the Y direction and the Z direction, and the firstresonator 4 is formed as a double-supported beam structure wherein bothend portions in the X direction are supported.

Moreover, the first resonator 4 is vacuum sealed between the supportsubstrate 3 and the shell 6 by the surrounding clearance C being held ina vacuum state by the shell 6, which is detailed below.

Furthermore, the first resonator 4 is excited by an excitation signalinput from the electrode 36 a and outputs a signal having a frequencyaccording to the applied pressure from the electrode 36 c.

That is, a strain according to the static pressure applied to thesupport substrate 3 by the pressure-receiving fluid F (K) arises in thefirst resonator 4, and as above, a change value of the resonancefrequency of the first resonator 4 that changed based on this strain isoutput as a frequency signal to the frequency counter 82 via the analogcircuit 81 illustrated in the block diagram in FIG. 5. In the frequencycounter 82, frequency measurement is implemented for the output voltageinput from the analog circuit 81, and a digital signal that is a countvalue of the frequency is output to the computation unit 83. Then, inthe computation unit 83, a pressure value corresponding to the digitalsignal input from the frequency counter 82 is computed.

In the pressure sensing unit 1, the first resonator 4 is disposed so astatic pressure (isotropic pressure) that acts on this pressure sensingunit 1 can be detected by the above configuration.

In one or more embodiments, the first resonator 4 is made of asemiconductor material including an impurity, a concentration of theimpurity is 1×10²⁰ (cm⁻³) or higher, and an atomic radius of theimpurity is smaller than an atomic radius of silicon, which is the basematerial.

To give a more detailed description, as the impurity included in thefirst resonator 4, for example, boron (B) and phosphorous (P) can bementioned. In this situation, because the impurity whose atomic radiusis smaller than the silicon constituting the first resonator 4 replacesthis silicon, the first resonator 4 deforms to relax this latticestrain. However, because fixed ends 4 a, 4 b of the first resonator 4are fixed, a tensile stress acts on/is imparted to the first resonator 4in advance. As a result, normally, under a high-pressure staticpressure, when no tensile stress is being imparted, the first resonator4 may buckle under a compressive stress arising in the fixed ends 4 a, 4b of the first resonator 4 and its pressure measurement function may belost. In contrast, in the pressure sensing unit 1 of one or moreembodiments, a tensile stress is imparted in advance, and a compressivestress acting on this pressure sensing unit 1 can be offset by thistensile stress. This can prevent the first resonator 4 from buckling andenables the pressure measurement function to be maintained.

Here, a situation is described wherein, for example, a semiconductormaterial wherein the impurity boron is included at a concentration of1×10²⁰ (cm⁻³) or higher and an atomic radius of the impurity is smallerthan an atomic radius of the base material silicon is applied for theresonator having an H shape in a plan view taught in non-patentliterature 1 above (H-shaped resonator; see FIGS. 1A-1B in non-patentliterature 1).

Even in, for example, a resonant pressure sensor provided with theH-shaped resonator of non-patent literature 1, by introducing boron at aconcentration of 1×10²⁰ (cm⁻³) or higher at a selective epitaxial stepof forming the resonator, a pressure sensor that can measure high staticpressure can be realized while preventing buckling of the resonator.

In the pressure sensing unit 1 provided in the resonant pressure sensor1A of one or more embodiments, from a viewpoint of being able toincrease sensitivity and measurement precision as a pressure sensor, itmay be for the disposition position of the first resonator 4 in theseparated portion 32 to be a position that is one-half or more andtwo-thirds or less of a length of the separated portion 32 in the Xdirection illustrated in FIG. 2, the starting point being a connectionlocation between the fixed portion 31 and the separated portion 32.

The second resonator 5 is a temperature-detecting resonator in theresonant pressure sensor lA of one or more embodiments. Like the firstresonator 4 for pressure detection, it is disposed in the separatedportion 32 of the support substrate 3. In the example illustrated inFIG. 2 and the like, the second resonator 5 is disposed parallel to thefirst resonator 4 (extending in the X direction) while being separatedfrom the first resonator 4 in the Y direction. Moreover, it is disposedin a position in the separated portion 32 wherein it is symmetrical tothe first resonator 4 in the Y direction.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the second resonator 5 isformed in a linear shape extending in the X direction by machining thesingle-crystal silicon forming the active layer 3 c provided on thesupport layer 3 a forming the support substrate 3 and is formed in aposition of the active layer 3 c in the Z direction.

The second resonator 5 is disposed so as to be interposed in the Ydirection between the electrode 36 d and the electrode 36 f.

Moreover, like the first resonator 4, the predetermined clearance C isensured around the second resonator 5 in the Y direction and the Zdirection, and the second resonator 5 is formed as a double-supportedbeam structure wherein both end portions in the X direction aresupported.

Moreover, like the first resonator 4, the second resonator 5 is vacuumsealed between the support substrate 3 and the shell 6 by thesurrounding clearance C being held in a vacuum state by the shell 6,which is detailed below.

Furthermore, the second resonator 5 is excited by an excitation signalinput from the electrode 36 d and outputs, from the electrode 36 f, asignal having a frequency according to the pressure—at a differentpressure sensitivity than the first resonator 4—as a temperaturecorrection signal at a time of pressure measurement.

The resonance frequencies of the first resonator 4 and the secondresonator 5 change according to the pressure and according to a changein Young's modulus or a difference in linear expansion coefficientsbetween materials according to the internal temperature of the pressuresensing unit 1 (temperature substantially equal to a temperature of thefirst resonator 4 and a temperature of the second resonator 5).Additionally, in one or more embodiments, because the pressuresensitivity of the resonance frequency of the second resonator 5 is lessthan the pressure sensitivity of the resonance frequency of the firstresonator 4, the internal temperature of the pressure sensing unit 1(temperature detection signal) can be determined based on a differencebetween a change value of the resonance frequency of the secondresonator 5 and the change value of the resonance frequency of the firstresonator 4. Then, a more accurate pressure value applied to thepressure sensing unit 1 can be determined based on the determinedinternal temperature and the change value of the resonance frequency ofthe first resonator 4 (pressure detection signal).

Here, the “pressure sensitivity of the resonance frequency” above is achange amount of the resonance frequency per unit pressure, and the unitthereof is, for example, “Hz/Pa”. Moreover, when representing thepressure sensitivity of the resonance frequency as a rate of change, theunit thereof is, for example, “ppm/Pa”.

Furthermore, in the pressure sensing unit 1 provided in the resonantpressure sensor 1A of one or more embodiments, from a viewpoint ofincreasing temperature detection precision and also contributing toimproved sensitivity and measurement precision as a pressure sensor,like the first resonator 4, it may be for the disposition position ofthe second resonator 5 in the separated portion 32 to be a position thatis one-half or more and two-thirds or less of the length of theseparated portion 32 in the X direction illustrated in FIG. 2, thestarting point being the connection location between the fixed portion31 and the separated portion 32.

The shell 6 is disposed on the support substrate 3 and, in the exampleillustrated in FIG. 3 and the like, is disposed so as to cover thesurface 30 of the TEOS oxide film 3 e disposed in the uppermost layer inthe stacked structure on the support layer 3 a. Moreover, as above, theshell 6 vacuum seals the first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5.That is, the shell 6 is bonded to the above surface 30 while sealing theclearance C provided around the first resonator 4 and the secondresonator 5.

A material of the shell 6 is not limited in particular, but, forexample, polysilicon can be used.

The encased resonant pressure sensor 1A or resonant pressure sensor 1Billustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B is configured by housing the pressure sensingunit 1 and the pressure-receiving fluid F or pressure-receiving fluid Kinside a housing 50.

By each member constituting the pressure sensing unit 1 such as the basesubstrate 2 and the support substrate 3 being protected inside thehousing 50 and the pressure-receiving fluids F, K being housed therein,the pressure applied from the outside, which is the measurement target,is transmitted to the support substrate 3.

Moreover, the housing 50 functions as a base in the resonant pressuresensors 1A, 1B; in the illustrated example, a pedestal 53 is disposed onan inner bottom portion, and the pressure sensing unit 1 is disposedthereon.

As the housing 50, a box-shaped member formed by, for example, a ceramicsuch as aluminum oxide or a metal such as Kovar, SUS316L, or Inconel isused.

Moreover, while illustration is omitted in FIGS. 1A-1B, a plurality ofterminal portions is disposed in the housing 50. The plurality ofterminal portions is electrically connected, by a metal wire that is notillustrated, to the pads 35 a to 35 f provided in the pressure sensingunit 1 housed in the housing 50. Moreover, the plurality of terminalportions is used in connecting to an external device.

The resonant pressure sensor 1A in the example illustrated in FIG. 1Ahouses the pressure-receiving fluid F, which is isolated from themeasurement target by a pressure-propagating partition-wall member 52,inside the housing 50. It is used, for example, in a use of measuring astatic pressure (pressure) in a state wherein a high static pressurefrom a fluid is applied. The resonant pressure sensor 1A in theillustrated example provides the pressure-propagating partition-wallmember 52 in a through hole 51 provided in a top-plate portion of thehousing 50. As this pressure-propagating partition-wall member, a metalmaterial, a resin material, or the like that is conventionally used inthis field can be adopted without any restrictions whatsoever.

Meanwhile, the resonant pressure sensor 1B in the example illustrated inFIG. 1B houses the pressure-receiving fluid K as the measurement-targetfluid inside the housing 50. It is used, for example, in a general useof measuring the atmosphere or the like. In this manner, the resonantpressure sensor 1B illustrated in FIG. 1B is not provided with apressure-propagating partition-wall member or the like, and the throughhole 51 is in a state of being open to the outside atmosphere.

[Operations of Resonant Pressure Sensor]

Next, operations of the above resonant pressure sensor 1A are brieflydescribed. First, when a static pressure acts on the pressure sensingunit 1 via the pressure-receiving fluid F, this pressure is applied tothe support substrate 3, and at least a portion of this supportsubstrate 3 (portion other than the fixed portion 31; in one or moreembodiments, the separated portion 32) is compressed in a substantiallyisotropic manner. At this time, a strain according to the compression ofthe separated portion 32 (pressure applied to the support substrate 3)arises in the first resonator 4, and the resonance frequency of thefirst resonator 4 changes based on this strain. In conjunctiontherewith, a strain according to the compression of the separatedportion 32 (pressure applied to the support substrate 3) also arises inthe second resonator 5, and the resonance frequency of the secondresonator 5 changes based on this strain.

The first resonator 4 is resonant due to the excitation signal inputfrom the electrode 36 a, and as above, the change value of the resonancefrequency arising based on the above strain is as a frequency signal tothe frequency counter 82 via the analog circuit 81 illustrated in FIG.5. In the frequency counter 82, frequency measurement is implemented forthe output voltage input from the analog circuit 81, and a digitalsignal that is a count value of the frequency is output to thecomputation unit 83.

Furthermore, at the same time as the above pressure measurement by thefirst resonator 4, the pressure sensing unit 1 can, by using a signalhaving a frequency according to the internal temperature from the secondresonator 5 as a temperature correction signal, perform temperaturecorrection of a detection result of the pressure sensing unit 1according to the internal temperature of the pressure sensing unit 1determined based on this signal. That is, the second resonator 5 isresonant due to the excitation signal input from the electrode 36 d, andas above, the change value of the resonance frequency arising based onthe strain according to the compression of the separated portion 32 isas a frequency signal to the frequency counter 85 via the analog circuit84. In the frequency counter 85, frequency measurement is implementedfor the output voltage input from the analog circuit 84, and a digitalsignal that is a count value of the frequency is output to thecomputation unit 83.

Then, in the computation unit 83, a pressure value corresponding to thedigital signal input from the frequency counter 82 is computed, and apressure value corresponding to the digital signal input from thefrequency counter 85 is computed. At this time, the computation unit 83uses the digital signal input from the frequency counter 85, which has afrequency according to the internal temperature from the secondresonator 5, as the temperature correction signal and performstemperature correction of the detection result of the pressure sensingunit 1 according to the internal temperature of the pressure sensingunit 1 determined based on this signal.

By the above operations, pressure values reflecting a temperaturecorrection according to the internal temperature of the pressure sensingunit 1 are obtained based on the changes in the resonance frequenciesarising in the first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5.

As above, in one or more embodiments, it is also possible to measurepressure using only the first resonator 4, without performingtemperature correction using the second resonator 5.

As described above, according to the resonant pressure sensor 1Aaccording to one or more embodiments, provided are at least the supportsubstrate 3, which has the fixed portion 31, which is fixed to the basesubstrate 2, and the separated portion 32, and the first resonator 4that is disposed in the separated portion 32 of the support substrate 3and has a resonance frequency that changes based on a strain that arisesaccording to a static pressure applied to the support substrate 3 by thepressure-receiving fluid F. This enables high linearity and excellentmeasurement precision to be obtained regardless of a magnitude of astatic pressure applied by a liquid, gas, or the like that is ameasurement target.

Second Embodiment

The resonant pressure sensor of the second embodiment is detailed belowwhile mainly referring to FIG. 6 as appropriate.

In the description of the resonant pressure sensor of the secondembodiment, configurations shared with the resonant pressure sensor 1Aof the first embodiment above are imparted the same reference signs inthe diagrams, and detailed description thereof may be omitted.

Moreover, in FIG. 6, only a pressure sensing unit 10 provided in theresonant pressure sensor of the second embodiment is illustrated, andillustration of, for example, the housing and the pressure-receivingfluid is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a plan view for describing the pressure sensing unit 10provided in the resonant pressure sensor of the second embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the resonant pressure sensor of one or moreembodiments differs from the resonant pressure sensor 1A of the firstembodiment above in that a support substrate (substrate portion) 3Aprovided in the pressure sensing unit 10 has a strain-mitigating hole 37provided so as to penetrate this support substrate 3A.

The strain-mitigating hole 37 is disposed so as to penetrate a separatedportion (substrate-separated portion) 32A in the support substrate 3Aand the shell 6 in the Z direction. Moreover, in a plan view of thesupport substrate 3A, the strain-mitigating hole 37 in the illustratedexample is disposed between the first resonator 4 and the secondresonator 5.

According to the resonant pressure sensor of one or more embodiments,because the strain-mitigating hole 37 is disposed in the supportsubstrate 3A, a strain that can be propagated from the base substrate 2to the separated portion 32A via the fixed portion 31 and a strain thatcan be propagated in the separated portion 32A are absorbed by thestrain-mitigating hole 37. This suppresses (reduces) both the strainthat can be propagated from the base substrate 2 to the separatedportion 32A via the fixed portion 31 and the strain that can bepropagated in the separated portion 32A such that an influence of thesestrain propagations that can become a factor in measurement error can bedecreased and the resonance frequencies of the first resonator 4 and thesecond resonator 5 indicate changes more reflective of the staticpressure.

Therefore, the above effect of obtaining high linearity and excellentmeasurement precision is more remarkably obtained.

Third Embodiment

The resonant pressure sensor of the third embodiment is detailed belowwhile mainly referring to FIG. 7.

In the description of the resonant pressure sensor of the thirdembodiment as well, configurations shared with the resonant pressuresensors of the first and second embodiments above are imparted the samereference signs in the diagrams, and detailed description thereof may beomitted.

Moreover, in FIG. 7 as well, like the resonant pressure sensor of thesecond embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, only a pressure sensing unit10A provided in the resonant pressure sensor of the third embodiment isillustrated, and illustration of the housing, the pressure-receivingfluid, and the like is omitted.

FIG. 7 is a plan view for describing the pressure sensing unit 10Aprovided in the resonant pressure sensor of the third embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, the resonant pressure sensor of one or moreembodiments differs from the resonant pressure sensor 1A and the like ofthe first and second embodiments above in that in a support substrate(substrate portion) 3B provided in the pressure sensing unit 10A, thefirst resonator 4 and the second resonator 5 are each disposed in aseparated portion (substrate-separated portion) 32B or a separatedportion (substrate-separated portion) 32C that differ.

That is, in the pressure sensing unit 10A provided in the resonantpressure sensor of one or more embodiments, the support substrate 3Bincludes two separated portions 32B, 32C, and the first resonator 4 orthe second resonator 5 is disposed in each. The support substrate 3B mayfurther include another substrate-separated portion (32B or 32C).

Specifically, the pressure sensing unit 10A provided in the resonantpressure sensor of one or more embodiments has the separated portion 32Band the separated portion 32C as the substrate-separated portion. Thefirst resonator 4 for pressure detection is disposed in the separatedportion 32B, and the second resonator 5 for temperature detection isdisposed in the separated portion 32C.

The separated portion 32B and the separated portion 32C are arrangedparallel to each other while being separated in the Y direction.Moreover, the separated portion 32B and the separated portion 32C arealigned so as to be roughly in the same position and have roughly thesame size in an extending direction thereof (X direction).

According to the resonant pressure sensor of one or more embodiments,because, as above, the first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5 areeach disposed in the separated portion 32B or the separated portion 32Cthat are independently provided, oscillation-energy transfer and thelike are less likely to arise.

Therefore, it becomes possible to further suppress errors in pressuremeasurement.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, a configuration that provides twoseparated portions 32B, 32C in one support substrate 3B is illustrated,but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, three ormore separated portions (substrate-separated portion) may be provided inone support substrate (substrate portion). Moreover, for example, aconfiguration wherein, upon providing a plurality of support substrates(substrate portion), separated portions are individually (independently)provided to each support substrate—that is, a configuration having atleast two or more separated portions provided to a plurality of supportsubstrates—may be adopted.

Fourth Embodiment

The resonant pressure sensor of the fourth embodiment is detailed belowwhile mainly referring to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10.

In the description of the resonant pressure sensor of the fourthembodiment as well, configurations shared with the resonant pressuresensors of the first, second, and third embodiments above are impartedthe same reference signs in the diagrams, and detailed descriptionthereof may be omitted.

Moreover, in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 as well, like the resonant pressuresensors of the second and third embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6 andFIG. 7, only a pressure sensing unit 10B provided in the resonantpressure sensor of the fourth embodiment is illustrated, andillustration of the housing, the pressure-receiving fluid, and the likeis omitted.

FIG. 8 is a plan view for describing the pressure sensing unit 10Bprovided in the resonant pressure sensor of the fourth embodiment, FIG.9 is a sectional view at line C-C in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a sectionalview at line D-D in FIG. 8.

In the pressure sensing unit 10B provided in the resonant pressuresensor of one or more embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, thefirst resonator 4 and the second resonator 5 are made of asingle-crystal silicon material. Moreover, in the first resonator 4 andthe second resonator 5 in the pressure sensing unit 10B, the impurityconcentrations in each are values that differ by at least one order ofmagnitude or more when the unit is made to be (cm⁻³). Moreover, thepressure sensing unit 10B is configured so a temperature coefficient ofthe resonance frequency of the second resonator 5 is greater than atemperature coefficient of the resonance frequency of the firstresonator 4. Here, the above temperature coefficient of the resonancefrequency is a rate of change of the resonance frequency per unittemperature, and the unit thereof is, for example, (ppm/° C.).

Described more specifically, in the resonant pressure sensor of one ormore embodiments, for example, when the impurity concentration of oneamong the first resonator 4 and second resonator 5 made of thesingle-crystal silicon material is [a×10^(n)(cm⁻³)], the impurityconcentration of the other among these is [a×10^(n−1)(cm⁻³)] or less or[a×10^(n+1)(cm⁻³)] or more.

The resonant pressure sensor of one or more embodiments is configured tomake the temperature coefficients of the resonance frequencies differentby a processing flow, whose illustration is omitted, wherein an impurityof a high concentration is diffused in the first resonator 4 and noimpurity diffusion is performed in the second resonator 5. That is, inone or more embodiments, no impurity diffusion is performed in anon-diffusion region R—that is, a region near the second resonator 5—ofthe support substrate 3 illustrated in FIG. 8.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 9, in the pressure sensingunit 10B provided in the resonant pressure sensor of one or moreembodiments, the impurity diffusion layer 3 d is formed in a peripheryof the first resonator 4 in the support substrate 3, but the impuritydiffusion layer 3 d is not formed in a periphery of the second resonator5. This enables the pressure sensing unit 10B to have a configurationwherein the impurity concentrations greatly differ between the firstresonator 4 and the second resonator 5.

It is generally known that a temperature coefficient of a resonancefrequency of a resonator changes according to a concentration and typeof an impurity included in the resonator, a crystal orientation of amaterial constituting the resonator, and a resonance mode of theresonator used in pressure measurement. In one or more embodiments, asabove, the temperature coefficient of the resonance frequency of thesecond resonator 5 is made greater than the temperature coefficient ofthe resonance frequency of the first resonator 4 by setting the impurityconcentrations [cm⁻³] at values that differ by at least one order ofmagnitude or more between the first resonator 4 and the second resonator5. That is, in one or more embodiments, when the resonant pressuresensor undergoes a temperature change, this signifies that the changeamount of the resonance frequency of the second resonator 5 becomesgreater than the change amount of the resonance frequency of the firstresonator 4. That is, because a temperature sensitivity of the secondresonator 5 becomes higher than a temperature sensitivity of the firstresonator 4, in pressure measurement using the first resonator 4,temperature correction according to temperature measurement using thesecond resonator 5 (temperature correction using the internaltemperature calculated from the resonance frequencies in the tworesonators (the first resonator 4 and the second resonator 5)) can beperformed with high precision. Therefore, temperature-correctionprecision in pressure measurement using the first resonator 4 isimproved.

As one example, a situation is described wherein boron (B) is used asthe impurity; in the support substrate 3 made of the single-crystalsilicon material, a crystal orientation of a region wherein the firstresonator 4 is disposed (material constituting the first resonator 4) isthe <110> direction and a normal direction of a wafer surface is the<100> direction; and fundamental oscillation at the fixed ends 4 a, 4 bis in a mode of in-plane oscillation in the wafer. In the aboveconditions, when the impurity concentration of the first resonator 4 ismade to be about 10²⁰ (cm⁻³) and the impurity concentration of thesecond resonator 5 is made to be about 10¹⁸ (cm⁻³), the temperaturecoefficients of the resonance frequencies become about −10 (ppm/° C.) inthe first resonator 4 and about −30 (ppm/° C.) in the second resonator5. That is, because the temperature sensitivity of the second resonator5 becomes higher than the temperature sensitivity of the first resonator4, in pressure measurement using the first resonator 4, temperaturecorrection according to temperature measurement using the secondresonator 5 can be performed with high precision. Therefore,temperature-correction precision in pressure measurement using the firstresonator 4 is improved.

Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, although detailed illustrationis omitted, a thickness dimension of the second resonator 5 along athickness direction of the support substrate 3 is greater than athickness dimension of the first resonator 4. That is, a thicknessdimension of the second resonator 5 in the stacking direction of thesupport substrate 3—that is, the Z direction—is greater than thethickness dimension of the first resonator 4. Adopting thisconfiguration further increases measurement precision of the internaltemperature by the second resonator 5 and also improvestemperature-correction precision. As a result, measurement precision ofpressure by the pressure sensing unit 1 is also increased.

The above configuration wherein the thickness dimension of the secondresonator 5 is greater than the thickness dimension of the firstresonator 4 is dependent on conditions of the manufacturing processdescribed below.

For example, when introducing the impurity to the first resonator 4 at ahigh concentration as above, first, to prevent the impurity from beingintroduced in a region forming the second resonator 5, a mask made of athermal oxide film is formed on this region.

Next, an impurity diffusion source is formed on the first resonator 4using a gas material or a coating glass material, and afterward, theimpurity is introduced and diffused in the first resonator 4 under ahigh temperature of 1,000° C. or higher. Because this process ofintroducing and diffusing the impurity in the first resonator 4 under ahigh temperature is generally implemented while supplying oxygen, on aface whereon a silicon surface is exposed, the silicon is oxidized,forming a silicon oxide film.

As a result of the above process, the above thickness dimension of thefirst resonator 4 becomes smaller than an original thickness of theactive layer. Meanwhile, the thickness dimension of the second resonator5 becomes equal to the original thickness of the active layer. Thiscauses the thickness dimension of the second resonator 5 to becomegreater than the thickness dimension of the first resonator 4.

The “thickness dimension along a thickness direction of the supportsubstrate (substrate portion) 3” described in one or more embodiments isthe stacking direction of the support substrate 3 and refers to athickness direction in the Z direction in the diagrams.

Fifth Embodiment

The resonant pressure sensor of the fifth embodiment is detailed belowwhile mainly referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12.

In the description of the resonant pressure sensor of the fifthembodiment as well, configurations shared with the resonant pressuresensors of the first to fourth embodiments above are imparted the samereference signs in the diagrams, and detailed description thereof may beomitted.

Moreover, in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 as well, like the resonant pressuresensors of the second to fourth embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6 toFIG. 10, only a pressure sensing unit 10C provided in the resonantpressure sensor of the fifth embodiment is illustrated, and illustrationof the housing, the pressure-receiving fluid, and the like is omitted.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view for briefly describing the pressure sensingunit 10C provided in the resonant pressure sensor of the fifthembodiment, and FIG. 12 is a plan view thereof. FIG. 11 is a sectionalview at line E-E in FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the resonant pressure sensor according toone or more embodiments, the pressure sensing unit 10C, which has a basesubstrate (substrate portion) 2A and a support substrate (supportportion) 3C, is further provided with the pedestal (fixed substrate(housing-fixed portion)) 53, whereto the base substrate 2A is fixed.

Moreover, in the pressure sensing unit 10C provided in the resonantpressure sensor according to one or more embodiments, the base substrate2A has a fixed portion (substrate-fixed portion) 21, in at least onelocation or more, that is fixed to a surface 53 a of the pedestal 53. Italso has separated portions (substrate-separated portion) 22, 23 thatare separated from the pedestal 53 by a distance S in the Z directionand extend from the fixed portion 21 along the surface 53 a (directionintersecting the Z direction; for example, the X direction). In theillustrated example, the base substrate 2A is configured as a cantileverstructure wherein the fixed portion 21 is a support point and theseparated portion 22 and the separated portion 23 are free ends.

Moreover, the resonant pressure sensor according to one or moreembodiments is configured so the pressure-receiving fluid, whoseillustration is omitted in FIG. 11, envelops the base substrate 2A(separated portion 22 and separated portion 23) while being interposedin the gap S between the pedestal 53 and the base substrate 2A.

In the resonant pressure sensor according to one or more embodimentsillustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 as well, like the resonant pressuresensor of the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, theimpurity diffusion layer 3 d is formed in the periphery of the firstresonator 4 in the support substrate 3C. Meanwhile, the impuritydiffusion layer 3 d is not formed in the periphery of the secondresonator 5.

According to the resonant pressure sensor of one or more embodiments, byadopting the above configuration wherein the base substrate 2A includesthe fixed portion 21 and the separated portions 22, 23, like theresonant pressure sensors described in the first to fourth embodiments,the resonance frequency of the first resonator 4 changes based on astrain arising according to a static pressure applied to the supportsubstrate 3C by the pressure-receiving fluid. This enables highlinearity and excellent measurement precision to be obtained regardlessof a magnitude of a static pressure applied by a liquid, gas, or thelike that is a measurement target.

Meanwhile, as above, the resonant pressure sensor of one or moreembodiments is configured so the base substrate 2A has the separatedportions 22, 23 relative to the pedestal 53. As such, the supportsubstrate 3C may be provided with a separated portion described in thefirst to fourth embodiments but does not need to be provided with such.FIG. 11 illustrates a separated portion is also provided between thesupport substrate 3C and the concave portion 20a of the base substrate2A.

Like the base substrate and the support substrate, a material such as asingle-crystal silicon wafer can be used as the pedestal 53 without anyrestrictions whatsoever.

In the resonant pressure sensor according to one or more embodiments, asin the illustrated example, it may be for at least one among a concavestrain-isolating groove 24 and a strain-isolating hole 25 thatpenetrates the base substrate 2A to be provided in at least a portion ofthe separated portions 22, 23 in the base substrate 2A. In theillustrated example, the concave strain-isolating groove 24 is disposedin one location of the separated portion 22 so as to be opened toward apedestal 53 side, and the strain-isolating hole 25 is disposed in onelocation of the separated portion 23.

In one or more embodiments, because the above strain-isolating groove 24and strain-isolating hole 25 are provided in the base substrate 2A, astrain that can be propagated from the pedestal 53 to the supportsubstrate 3C via the base substrate 2A (separated portion 22 andseparated portion 23) and a strain that can be propagated in the basesubstrate 2A are absorbed by the strain-isolating groove 24 or thestrain-isolating hole 25. This suppresses (reduces) a strain propagatedfrom the pedestal 53 to the support substrate 3C via the base substrate2A (separated portion 22 and separated portion 23) and the strain thatcan be propagated in the base substrate 2A. As such, an influence ofthese strain propagations that can become a factor in measurement errorcan be reduced, and the resonance frequencies of the first resonator 4and the second resonator 5 indicate changes more reflective of thestatic pressure. Therefore, the above effect of obtaining high linearityand excellent measurement precision is more remarkably obtained.

<Other Configurations>

Embodiments of the present invention are described above. However, theseembodiments are illustrated as one example and do not limit the scope ofthe present invention. These embodiments can be implemented in othervarious forms and can be applied with various omissions, substitutions,and modifications within a scope that does not depart from the spirit ofthe invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included inthe scope and spirit of the invention and are likewise included in theinvention stated in the scope of patent claims and scopes equivalentthereto.

For example, in the above embodiments, the separated portion in thesupport substrate or the base substrate has a so-called cantileverstructure supported by the base substrate or the pedestal (fixedsubstrate) at one fixed portion, but the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, a configuration wherein the separatedportion is supported at two or more fixed portions can also be adopted.

Furthermore, the configuration adopted in the resonant pressure sensoraccording to one or more embodiments—wherein the support substrateincludes the separated portion having the gap between itself and thebase substrate and a resonator is disposed in this separated portion—canalso be applied in, for example, a resonant pressure sensor providedwith a resonator having an H shape in a plan view (H-shaped resonator;for example, see FIGS. 1A-1B in non-patent literature 1 above). Forexample, actions and effects similar to those of the above embodimentscan be obtained by providing, instead of a resonator described in theabove embodiments, the above H-shaped resonator in spaces that are theseparated portions 32, 32A, 32B, 32C in the support substrates 3, 3A,3B, 3C and are vacuum-sealed by the shell 6.

The resonant pressure sensor according to one or more embodiments hashigh linearity and excellent measurement precision regardless of amagnitude of a static pressure applied by a fluid or the like that is ameasurement target. Therefore, the resonant pressure sensor according toone or more embodiments is particularly useful in a use wherein a highstatic pressure is applied. Although the disclosure has been describedwith respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled inthe art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that variousother embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should belimited only by the attached claims.

-   1A, 1B . . . resonant pressure sensor

1, 10, 10A, 10B, 10C . . . pressure sensing unit

2 . . . base substrate (housing-fixed portion)

2A . . . base substrate (substrate portion/substrate)

20 . . . surface

-   -   20 a . . . concave portion

21 . . . fixed portion (substrate-fixed portion)

22, 23 . . . separated portion (substrate-separated portion)

24 . . . strain-isolating groove

25 . . . strain-isolating hole

3, 3A, 3B, 3C . . . support substrate (substrate portion/substrate)

-   -   3 a . . . support layer    -   3 b . . . embedded oxide film    -   3 c . . . active layer    -   3 d . . . impurity diffusion layer    -   3 e . . . TEOS oxide film    -   30 . . . surface

31 . . . fixed portion (substrate-fixed portion)

-   -   32, 32A, 32B, 32C . . . separated portion (substrate-separated        portion)    -   33 . . . sidewall portion

35 a, 35 b, 35 c, 35 d, 35 e, 35 f . . . pad

36 a, 36 b, 36 c, 36 d, 36 e, 36 f . . . electrode

-   -   37 . . . strain-mitigating hole    -   R . . . non-diffusion region

4 . . . first resonator

-   -   4 a, 4 b . . . fixed end

5 . . . second resonator

-   -   5 a, 5 b . . . fixed end

6 . . . shell

50 . . . housing

-   -   51 . . . through hole    -   52 . . . pressure-propagating partition-wall member    -   53 . . . pedestal (fixed substrate (housing-fixed portion))        -   53 a . . . surface    -   S . . . gap    -   C . . . clearance

F, K . . . pressure-receiving fluid

1. A resonant pressure sensor, comprising: a housing; a housing-fixedportion that is fixed to the housing; a substrate that comprises: asubstrate-fixed portion that is fixed to the housing-fixed portion; anda substrate-separated portion that is separated from the housing-fixedportion in a first direction and extends from the substrate-fixedportion; a first resonator that is disposed in the substrate-separatedportion and that detects a change of a resonance frequency based on astrain in the substrate caused by static pressure applied by apressure-receiving fluid; a first electrode that extends along a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction and that outputs anexcitation signal to the first resonator to excite the first resonator;a second electrode that extends along the second direction and fromwhich the first resonator outputs a signal having the resonancefrequency; and a processor that measures the static pressure based onthe detected change of the resonance frequency, wherein the firstresonator is disposed between the first electrode and the secondelectrode in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction andthe second direction, the pressure-receiving fluid is interposed in agap between the housing-fixed portion and the substrate and envelops thesubstrate.
 2. The resonant pressure sensor according to claim 1, whereinthe substrate has a cantilever structure whose support point is thesubstrate-fixed portion.
 3. The resonant pressure sensor according toclaim 1, wherein the substrate has a strain-mitigating hole thatpenetrates the substrate.
 4. The resonant pressure sensor according toclaim 1, wherein the first resonator is made of a semiconductor materialthat comprises an impurity, a concentration of the impurity is 1×10²⁰(cm⁻³) or higher, and an atomic radius of the impurity is smaller thanan atomic radius of the semiconductor material.
 5. The resonant pressuresensor according to claim 1, further comprising: a second resonatordisposed in the substrate, wherein the second resonator detects a changeof a resonance frequency based on the strain in the substrate caused bythe static pressure applied by the pressure-receiving fluid, and thesecond resonator has a pressure sensitivity of the resonance frequencythat differs from a pressure sensitivity of the resonance frequency ofthe first resonator.
 6. The resonant pressure sensor according to claim5, wherein the substrate further comprises another substrate-separatedportion, and the second resonator is disposed in the anothersubstrate-separated portion.
 7. The resonant pressure sensor accordingto claim 5, wherein the first resonator and the second resonator aremade of a single-crystal silicon material that comprises an impurity, aconcentration of the impurity in the first resonator differs from aconcentration of the impurity in the second resonator by one or moreorder of magnitude when a unit is made to be (cm⁻³), and the secondresonator has a temperature coefficient of the resonance frequency thatis greater than a temperature coefficient of the resonance frequency ofthe first resonator.
 8. The resonant pressure sensor according to claim5, wherein, along a thickness direction of the substrate, a thicknessdimension of the second resonator is greater than a thickness dimensionof the first resonator.
 9. The resonant pressure sensor according toclaim 1, wherein the substrate further comprises: a base substrate thatcomprises the substrate-fixed portion and that is fixed to thehousing-fixed portion; and a support substrate that is connected to thebase substrate; a fixed portion that is fixed to the base substrate; anda separated portion that is separated from the base substrate and thatextends from the fixed portion, and the pressure-receiving fluid isinterposed in a gap between the base substrate and the support substrateand envelops the separated portion.
 10. The resonant pressure sensoraccording to claim 1, wherein the first resonator is excited by anelectrostatic force due to the excitation signal, and a direction of theelectrostatic force is along the third direction.
 11. A resonantpressure sensor, comprising: a housing; a housing-fixed portion that isfixed to the housing; a substrate that comprises: a substrate-fixedportion that is fixed to the housing-fixed portion; and asubstrate-separated portion that is separated from the housing-fixedportion in a first direction and extends from the substrate-fixedportion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; afirst resonator that is disposed in the substrate-separated portion andthat detects a change of a resonance frequency based on a strain in thesubstrate caused by static pressure applied by a pressure-receivingfluid; and a processor that measures the static pressure based on thedetected change of the resonance frequency, wherein thepressure-receiving fluid is interposed in a gap between thehousing-fixed portion and the substrate and envelops the substrate, thefirst resonator has a first length along the first direction, a secondlength along the second direction, and a third length along a thirddirection perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction,and the first length is larger than the third length and smaller thanthe first second length.
 12. The resonant pressure sensor according toclaim 11, wherein the substrate has a cantilever structure whose supportpoint is the substrate-fixed portion.
 13. The resonant pressure sensoraccording to claim 11, wherein the substrate has a strain-mitigatinghole that penetrates the substrate.
 14. The resonant pressure sensoraccording to claim 11, wherein the first resonator is made of asemiconductor material that comprises an impurity, a concentration ofthe impurity is 1×10²⁰ (cm⁻³) or higher, and an atomic radius of theimpurity is smaller than an atomic radius of the semiconductor material.15. The resonant pressure sensor according to claim 11, furthercomprising: a second resonator disposed in the substrate, wherein thesecond resonator detects a change of a resonance frequency based on thestrain in the substrate caused by the static pressure applied by thepressure-receiving fluid, the second resonator has a pressuresensitivity of the resonance frequency that differs from a pressuresensitivity of the resonance frequency of the first resonator, thesecond resonator has a fourth length along the first direction, a fifthlength along the second direction, and a sixth length along the thirddirection, and the fourth length is larger than the sixth length andsmaller than the fifth length.
 16. The resonant pressure sensoraccording to claim 15, wherein the substrate further comprises anothersubstrate-separated portion, and the second resonator is disposed in theanother substrate-separated portion.
 17. The resonant pressure sensoraccording to claim 15, wherein the first resonator and the secondresonator are made of a single-crystal silicon material that comprisesan impurity, a concentration of the impurity in the first resonatordiffers from a concentration of the impurity in the second resonator byone or more order of magnitude when a unit is made to be (cm⁻³), and thesecond resonator has a temperature coefficient of the resonancefrequency that is greater than a temperature coefficient of theresonance frequency of the first resonator.
 18. The resonant pressuresensor according to claim 15, wherein, along a thickness direction ofthe substrate, a thickness dimension of the second resonator is greaterthan a thickness dimension of the first resonator.
 19. The resonantpressure sensor according to claim 11, wherein the substrate furthercomprises: a base substrate that comprises the substrate-fixed portionand that is fixed to the housing-fixed portion; and a support substratethat is connected to the base substrate; a fixed portion that is fixedto the base substrate; and a separated portion that is separated fromthe base substrate and that extends from the fixed portion, and thepressure-receiving fluid is interposed in a gap between the basesubstrate and the support substrate and envelops the separated portion.